Official North Dakota Travel & Tourism Guide - Summerhttp://www.ndtourism.com/summer
Explore the land where buffalo still roam — alongside deer, elk, antelope and plenty of other wildlife. Summers offer a bounty of outdoor activities like mountain biking, fishing, hiking and camping. It’s a perfect time to explore North Dakota’s national and state parks and discover the history of the West. Click here for more Summer activities in North Dakota.
enHeck of a Time on Devils Lakehttp://www.ndtourism.com/blog/heck-time-devils-lake
<div class="field field-name-field-post-date- field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 14, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="269" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; float: left; margin: 7px;" width="359" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/sara%201.jpg" />While there are many great lakes in North Dakota, the many recreational options available on Devils Lake in north central North Dakota attracted my family for a recent weekend. The newly expanded facilities and full-service amenities offered at Woodlands Resort drew our crew; boat, kayak, paddleboard, wakeboard, skis and fishing gear in tow. No need to pack other essentials as the cabins and rooms are well stocked with the necessities. And there really is no need to pack food as The Proz served a variety of fare - from the house-made walleye, blue cheese dressing, salsa and guacamole to satisfying burgers, wraps and salads - all served inside or out with great views of the lake. We loved the fresh walleye tacos, maybe even more than the walleye we caught fresh and grilled ourselves. As for the fishing, my guys had just returned from a well-known fishing lake across a couple of borders and had better luck catching consistent, nice walleye on Devils Lake. We run a sport boat, not a fishing boat, which sometimes can be a disadvantage, but not on this world-renowned fishery!</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="222" width="296" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/sara%205.jpg" />&nbsp; &nbsp;<img alt="" class="media-image" height="224" width="298" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/sara%203_0.jpg" /></p>
<p>If you are looking for more than a quiet night around the campground, the crew at Proz and Woodlands provide an exciting lineup of bands throughout the summer and the Friday night karaoke provided true entertainment (and not the “OMG I am so embarrassed for them” kind). The comfortably furnished fire pits, Bobber’s on the Water bar and free coffee topped off the experience. Next time, I am hoping for an opening in one of the new lake view, 2- or 3-bedroom suites.</p>
<p>One thing we have always enjoyed while at the lake is boating to other resorts, attractions or restaurants. Devils Lake provides that opportunity. Just across the bay is the newly opened clubhouse at Creel Bay Golf Club. Although we didn’t bring the clubs this trip, the views looked awesome. Spirit Lake Casino has a marina with a full-service C-store, which made a great ice cream stop. Across the East Bay is Ackerman Acres with a marina, campground, new cabins and Ty’s Lodge – a new log-furnished restaurant offering traditional lake fare, drinks and an outdoor patio.</p>
<p>No trip to Devils Lake would be complete without a stop at Grahams Island State Park. This, one of the busiest state parks, is on an island accessible via a newly raised road. The park caters to campers and anglers who frequent this often-full park for the well-maintained campgrounds, access to the big water and many, many fish tales, I am sure!</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="276" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" width="276" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/sara%204.jpg" />If you are looking for a great lunch, sweet treat or coffee, stop in at Kneadful Things in the town of Devils Lake. The smoothies were perfect for a hot July day.</p>
<p>There are a number of other newly expanded recreation offerings around Devils Lake that we didn’t have time to check out this trip. But this growing area will surely lure us back.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Click here to find out more about <a href="http://www.devilslakend.com/">Devils Lake</a>, <a href="http://woodlandresort.com/">Woodland Resort</a>, <a href="http://spiritlakecasino.com/lodging/">Spirit Lake Casino</a>, <a href="http://www.creelbaygolfcourse.com/">Creel Bay Golf Course</a> and <a href="http://ackermanacres.com/">Ackerman Acres</a>.</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 14 Jul 2015 23:21:04 +0000Scooter Pursley19570 at http://www.ndtourism.com5 Must-do Things at the North Dakota State Fairhttp://www.ndtourism.com/articles/5-must-do-things-north-dakota-state-fair
Tue, 14 Jul 2015 16:03:47 +0000Scooter Pursley19539 at http://www.ndtourism.com25 North Dakota Scenic ByRider Locationshttp://www.ndtourism.com/best-places/25-north-dakota-scenic-byrider-locations
Mon, 23 Mar 2015 19:42:58 +0000Scooter Pursley18306 at http://www.ndtourism.comArt Exhibit To Debut during the 125th Celebration Partyhttp://www.ndtourism.com/content/art-exhibit-debut-during-125th-celebration-party
Tue, 22 Jul 2014 19:54:40 +0000Scooter Pursley13710 at http://www.ndtourism.comAdventures in North Dakotahttp://www.ndtourism.com/articles/adventures-north-dakota
Wed, 02 Jul 2014 15:39:46 +0000Scooter Pursley13037 at http://www.ndtourism.comHeading to Sturgis? North Dakota is on the way - kindahttp://www.ndtourism.com/blog/heading-sturgis-north-dakota-way-kinda
<div class="field field-name-field-post-date- field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 13, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="360" width="480" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/Deanne%20TRNP%20Loop%20road%20by%20SP_0.jpg" /></p>
<p>It’s hard to think of yourself as bypassed by people who have no reason to drive by you in the first place. Sturgis is different in that people plan for months what route they are taking to the granddaddy of all bike rallies each August in the Black Hills.</p>
<p>That means there is plenty of time to consider a route through North Dakota either on the way to, or going home from, the Black Hills rally. The question is – why consider North Dakota for your riding pleasure?</p>
<p>Why would somebody from Missouri or Texas or California want to go farther north than they have to to get home or get to Sturgis?</p>
<p>Here are 10 reasons why it’s worth adding a couple hundred miles onto your trip to ride through North Dakota:</p>
<p>1. Theodore Roosevelt rode through here. Talk about a hardtail, Roosevelt was a Roughrider who knew his way around the dusty trails that passed for highways in the 1800s. The national park named in his honor is not even three hours north of Belle Fourche, S.D. and has a spectacular loop ride through herds of buffalo and deer and other wildlife. And the trail today is well-maintained Highway 85 straight up from Belle Fourche (pronounced Foosh). So just roll the throttle and go.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="197" width="263" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/fez_2.jpg" />&nbsp; <img alt="" class="media-image" height="197" width="233" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/hopps%202.jpg" /></p>
<p>2. Have you ever had a picture taken with a giant – and I mean giant – pheasant. Or seen geese in flight that blotted out the sky? Let me tell you about the Enchanted Highway. It’s 30 miles of quirky roadside art between Gladstone on Interstate 94 and Regent, on your way to Sturgis. Giant fish, giant people and giant bugs spring up from the prairie. You won’t have to wash these bugs off when you get to the Hills.</p>
<p>3. John Lindemann’s Harley collection is a must see. Lindemann has almost as many Harleys in the garage as there are people in Golden Valley, the western North Dakota town where the museum is located. His collection includes a 1921 J and one from every year from 1936 to 1970. Lindemann opens the museum by request and if you are a true Harley lover, you have to see this. Call 701-983-4231 to schedule a time to visit.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="160" width="242" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/photo2.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp; <img alt="" class="media-image" height="160" width="213" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/rransom.jpg" /></p>
<p>4. There are two ways to learn about history: Read it in a book, or motorcycle through it. Did you know that five legendary figures of the West have ties to the Bismarck-Mandan area? Lewis and Clark camped for months along the Missouri River through North Dakota. They met Sakakawea north of Bismarck at Knife River Indian Villages. Sitting Bull and Custer were practically neighbors at Standing Rock Reservation and Fort Abraham Lincoln, but they didn’t get along after running into each other in Montana, and history has told us what happened at the Little Bighorn. Custer’s home at Fort Lincoln and Sitting Bull’s burial site are a nice bike ride along the Missouri River on the Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway south of Mandan. It’s one of many ways to reach Sturgis coming down from I-94 through North Dakota.</p>
<p>5. Here’s one multiple choice test you can’t fail. What’s the best way from north or eastern North Dakota to Sturgis? It all depends on what you want to see. Farmlands line the roads east of the Missouri River through North and South Dakota down to SD Highway 212. Meanwhile, a ride on most of the highways south of I-94 and along or west of the Missouri River lets riders know what it was like to head out into the wilderness on their trusty horse back in the day. There are enough fuel stops to keep your ride fed, but traffic is very light, roads are good and the scenery near the border with South Dakota is awe-inspiring. Global crowding? Not here.</p>
<p>6. To helmet or not. Hey, it’s up to you. <strong>DO NOT BYPASS</strong> North Dakota for fear of a mandatory helmet law as there is none for anyone over 18. That’s not to say we encourage you to go topless – you know what I mean – it’s your coconut, protect it as you see fit.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="215" width="384" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/sign_0.jpg" />&nbsp; <img alt="" class="media-image" height="215" width="169" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/Chipperpic-3.jpg" /></p>
<p>7. It’s North Dakota. It’s on the other side of South Dakota for people riding long distances from states south of South Dakota. But hey, if you’ve come this far, what’s a couple hundred more miles to be able to tell folks back home that you’ve actually ridden in North Dakota and it looks a lot like – South Dakota without the Black Hills.</p>
<p>8. A chip off the old leg. That’s right, the woodchipper that made Fargo famous is in Fargo at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, just an exit ramp and a couple right turns from the Interstate. What biker wouldn’t want to cozy up for a memento photo (leg and all) to take home to friends? And for a classic biker meal, head downtown to the Wurst Bier Hall for awesome sausages and a boot o’ beer that is shared by the group.</p>
<p>9. Those who can’t wait to get to Deadwood to drop some coin in the slots, North Dakota has stops near its southern border at Prairie Knights Casino south of Mandan and Dakota Magic Casino near Hankinson on I-29.</p>
<p>10. Bison roam here (freely in Theodore Roosevelt National Park and at the National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown) and deer and antelope and prairie dogs and eagles play. You can see these and more, and experience the fresh smell of grass, crops and grasslands as you glide down the highway toward your destination – Sturgis.</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 13 Jun 2014 14:50:07 +0000Scooter Pursley12219 at http://www.ndtourism.comNorth Dakota full of fun things to see and do in the summerhttp://www.ndtourism.com/blog/north-dakota-full-fun-things-see-and-do-summer
<div class="field field-name-field-post-date- field-type-datetime field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Post Date:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 9, 2014</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="188" style="float: left; margin: 7px;" width="250" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/fargo%20cb.jpg" />Summer travel season is in full swing in North Dakota and I was able to enjoy events from east to west and points in between last week.</p>
<p>In Grand Forks, the weather was perfect for downtown shopping and a pizza on the rooftop of Rhombus Guys.&nbsp; And the new Panera Bread restaurant also lived up to its reputation and surely warranted a review from Herald columnist Marilyn Hagerty.</p>
<p>&nbsp;Fargo’s Broadway Avenue was buzzing with activity with the first Cruisin’ Broadway of the season.&nbsp; Show-worthy cars of all makes and vintages lined the streets as families strolled and seniors relaxed in chairs taking in all the sights and sounds.&nbsp; The drive down Broadway took about 40 minutes but was filled with plenty of classic cars and people to watch and great aromas wafting from all the downtown eateries. The event returns on July 3. Ribfest brought people to the Fargodome where they enjoyed kids’ activities, bands and, of course, great ribs.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="188" style="float: right; margin: 7px;" width="250" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/photo%20%2855%29.jpg" />Friday’s big announcement in Medora was the return of Kat Perkins to the Burning Hills Amphitheater on August 22. It is fitting that her first North Dakota concert after “The Voice” be a return to the stage where she began performing.&nbsp; Meanwhile, opening night of the Medora Musical was amazing. The vocals were extremely strong and the show was exceptional, especially considering it was the first night.&nbsp; Visitors will enjoy a great blend of Medora’s standard song, dance and costumes along with more contemporary pieces.&nbsp; The three Burning Hills Singers from North Dakota each had a fan section which added to the fun.&nbsp; Kudos to the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation for creating a brand new Badlands Pizza and Saloon with rustic, yet upscale, food and furnishings.&nbsp; Passersby may not even realize the building is new construction as it fits on the historic corner like it always has.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image" height="188" style="float: left; margin: 7px;" width="250" src="http://cdn.ndtourism.com/sites/default/master/files/styles/large/public/MDH%20trail%20dedication.jpg" />The Maah Daah Hey Trail expansion dedication on Saturday was blessed with perfect weather.&nbsp; This 45-mile extension from Sully Creek State Park to the Burning Coal Vein Campground was completed with the help of many entities and volunteers. The trail, now 140 miles, offers some of the most scenic remote wilderness in the region and gives us all an opportunity to unplug, listen, breathe deep and re-charge.</p>
<p>As I ventured out for a morning hike, I was reminded that Medora is in the heart of ranch country in North Dakota. For 15 minutes the only vehicles I saw were pickups pulling gooseneck horse and cattle trailers.&nbsp; Many were participating in the rodeo for sure, but others moving cattle to the lush green pastures that abound in the Badlands. A stop at the newly designed Cowboy Hall of Fame tells those stories and is a must-see.</p>
<p>Finally, the bite on Lake Audubon was coming on strong before thunderstorms chased us off the lake Sunday.&nbsp; The upside was I got to enjoy a burger and salad at the newly remodeled Totten Trail, which beats the hot dogs we were planning on grilling. Summer is never long enough, so pack it in. You may be a bit tired Monday morning but the memories are always worth it!</p>
</div></div></div>Mon, 09 Jun 2014 19:05:52 +0000Scooter Pursley12094 at http://www.ndtourism.com7 legendary activities to enjoy with Dad in North Dakotahttp://www.ndtourism.com/articles/7-legendary-activities-enjoy-dad-north-dakota
Thu, 29 May 2014 19:20:31 +0000Kim Schmidt11672 at http://www.ndtourism.comRunning on Anything but Emptyhttp://www.ndtourism.com/articles/running-anything-empty
Thu, 22 May 2014 20:08:16 +0000Scooter Pursley11536 at http://www.ndtourism.com8 Cozy Cabin Getawayshttp://www.ndtourism.com/best-places/8-cozy-cabin-getaways
Wed, 05 Mar 2014 19:00:13 +0000Scooter Pursley10252 at http://www.ndtourism.com